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2008-10-16 5:43 PM

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Expert
1603
1000500100
Westchester, NY
Subject: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves

This is just a rant.  But if anyone has had similar experience or advice, please share.

So, about 3 weeks ago I get a call from my bank as they've seen some suspicious activity on my card.  Sure enough, I look in my wallet and the only 2 cards I have are gone.   1 is my bank debit card, the other is a MC with zero balance that I've not used for years.  Someone charged over 2 grand worth of stuff at a best buy and a target not too far from where I live/work.  I'm certain they swiped the cards out of my wallet at the gym I use across from my office.  I stupidly left my lock, which was on the locker but unlocked, for about 30 seconds while I went to pee.  My wallet was in my pants pocket as my clothes hung in the locker.  I close the accounts, file a fraud report, file a report with the gym, file a police report.  These guys knew what they were doing.  Took only the cards, no cash, not my blackberry, ipod...nothing I would've noticed immediately.  They used the cards right away before I noticed they were missing.  The police detective investigating managed to get pics off the security footage of the guys who used my card, but I do not recognize any of them from the gym.  Turns out they also got another guy same time as they got me...and that guy is a local cop.  Still, not looking good that they'll find 'em.  I'm not responsible for any of the $, but it is a real inconvenience as I gotta wait for the $ to be put back in my account and without those funds paying my mortgage on time is gonna be tough.  Things work out, but it sucked.

FF to yesterday.  I've got my new cards.  I've been making sure my locker is locked at all times.  I've been checking my wallet before leaving the gym everyday.  But yesterday I was rushing out to get my kids to a doctor's appointment, so don't check my wallet.  Get back from the doctor, go to pay some bills online and see more charges I never made showing up.  WTF?!?!?  Take out my wallet to find the cards are gone!  How the H$!! did they get into my locked locker?!  I am POSITIVE this is what happened. I've no doubt at all the cards were stolen at the gym and my locker was LOCKED this time.  It is a good master lock combination lock with no signs of damage.  I see no way the locker door could've been removed at the hinges or any other way in the locker.  So, now I gotta go  through all the same stuff again. Somehow these guys got my cards and within 20 minutes had charged another 2 grand worth of stuff at a different best buy and target.  Things is, these stores are too far for them to have driven there in that time, so I suspect they somehow called in the orders while on their way.

I'm waiting to hear back from the police.  There was one employee of the gym in the locker room both times but I suppose that could be a coincidence.  I'd have thought the gym management would be more apologetic to me and do something to make me feel better, but all they've done is suggest I not bring my wallet into the gym until this is solved.  And oh....when I get my next new cards, make sure they get the number so my monthly membership payment is not missed!  GRRRR......

So, the moral of the story is....um.....crooks suck and I can't even expect my stuff to be safe behind alocked door! :-(

Rant over.  As you were.



2008-10-16 6:02 PM
in reply to: #1748333

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2008-10-16 6:06 PM
in reply to: #1748369

Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves
Happened to me, in the worst place, Vegas (I live here).  They promptly went to a couple casinos and in a matter of a couple hours, while I was working out, racked up $10,000 of credit card debt...
2008-10-16 6:12 PM
in reply to: #1748333

Pro
4353
200020001001001002525
Wallingford, PA
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves
That sucks.... could you lock your wallet in your glove compartment or the trunk of your car when you go to the gym? Have they had a lot of these incidents?? If so, seems they should be doing something about it.... sorry you've got to deal with this -- AGAIN!!
2008-10-16 6:23 PM
in reply to: #1748333

Champion
4942
2000200050010010010010025
Richmond, VA
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves

do the locker you use have a fake back and they can access your locker from behind? 

if they called in an order, it would have to be marked and left for pickup or would have to be shipped.

 

I see a sting operation in your near future...

 

sorry to hear about this. 

2008-10-17 9:05 AM
in reply to: #1748333

Extreme Veteran
877
500100100100252525
Pa
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves

I'm sorry to hear about that. I had the same thing happen to me.  Two cards stolen out of my wallet, although I'm not sure where they were stolen, but they didn't take any cash.    They went to Best Buy and Circuit City immediately.  Someone went to a liquir store and a men's warehouse.  I don't use my cards at all really and my card company called me and told me about it.  They wiped all of the charges off immediately and took care of it.  I didn't have to file a police report or anything. 

 I do wish that I found out who took them from me so I could kick the crap out of them. Oh well.

 



2008-10-17 9:43 AM
in reply to: #1748333

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2008-10-17 10:05 AM
in reply to: #1748333

Elite
3290
20001000100100252525
Oliver, BC, "Wine Capital of Canada"
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves

Sorry to FD. I've had my CC security breached and used for online purchases but never physically stolen.

Don't know if this policy is in the US but here if a retail outlet does not verify the CC with a matching  piece of signature ID then they are on the hook for the tab.

2008-10-17 10:20 AM
in reply to: #1748333

Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves
Just making sure you know this. Be sure to call the FTC and report it. They are the go-to agency for identity theft and if there's a ring going on you might be the one to push it over to be a federal matter. The Secret Service is the LEO organization dealing with money so make sure they get a copy of the report as well.
2008-10-17 10:57 AM
in reply to: #1748333

Expert
1379
1000100100100252525
Woodland, California
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves

Do you have this kind of lock?

 

 

They are near impossible to break into.  However, if you have the other kind of combo lock (the kind with 3 or 4 tumblers that you can set to any combo you want), it can take less than a minute for someone to figure out the combo and open it.

 

2008-10-17 11:03 AM
in reply to: #1748333

Expert
1158
10001002525
A Husker stuck in VA
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves
Ok, this is just informative, don't hate me as I have never used it. A couple months ago I saw a post somewhere in reference to Master combination locks and how easy they are to get open. If you goto youtube you can find the step by step how to on making a piece out of an aluminium can to slide down the shaft of a lock and open it. I was amazed at the ease and speed of it and actually made one at home and tried it, as I use the locks on many things.
I cannot get on youtube to attach the link but should be fairly easy to find. I only mention this here as a warning to everyone about their locks.


2008-10-17 11:03 AM
in reply to: #1748333

Pro
4277
20002000100100252525
Parker, CO
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves
that just sucks!  I hate people that steal things.
2008-10-17 11:10 AM
in reply to: #1749721

Expert
1379
1000100100100252525
Woodland, California
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves

NavyTRIChief - 2008-10-17 9:03 AM Ok, this is just informative, don't hate me as I have never used it. A couple months ago I saw a post somewhere in reference to Master combination locks and how easy they are to get open. If you goto youtube you can find the step by step how to on making a piece out of an aluminium can to slide down the shaft of a lock and open it. I was amazed at the ease and speed of it and actually made one at home and tried it, as I use the locks on many things. I cannot get on youtube to attach the link but should be fairly easy to find. I only mention this here as a warning to everyone about their locks.

Which kind of master lock?  The kind I posted a picture of?

The other kind is easy to open..... just pull hard on the lock with one hand, and start turning the tumblers from the top down.  One number will have kind of a loose feeling compared to the others.  Repeat for the rest of the tumblers, and before you know it, it's open.

2008-10-17 11:25 AM
in reply to: #1749699

Expert
1603
1000500100
Westchester, NY
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves
froglegs - 2008-10-17 11:57 AM

Do you have this kind of lock?

 

 

They are near impossible to break into.  However, if you have the other kind of combo lock (the kind with 3 or 4 tumblers that you can set to any combo you want), it can take less than a minute for someone to figure out the combo and open it.

 

Yes, as pictured except no key.  I did not set the combo, it came with one I had to memorize.   I've tried to see if it would unlock/open under some "stress" but it seems solid.  Again, it shows no sign of damage or being pried open or anything.  I'll need to try to find that youtube video or see if any of the other stuff others have mentioned applies here.  FYI, the detective looking into this left me a message earlier.  Waiting for his call back.  Not holding my breath that they've caught 'em!

2008-10-17 11:27 AM
in reply to: #1749737

Expert
1158
10001002525
A Husker stuck in VA
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves
froglegs - 2008-10-17 12:10 PM

NavyTRIChief - 2008-10-17 9:03 AM Ok, this is just informative, don't hate me as I have never used it. A couple months ago I saw a post somewhere in reference to Master combination locks and how easy they are to get open. If you goto youtube you can find the step by step how to on making a piece out of an aluminium can to slide down the shaft of a lock and open it. I was amazed at the ease and speed of it and actually made one at home and tried it, as I use the locks on many things. I cannot get on youtube to attach the link but should be fairly easy to find. I only mention this here as a warning to everyone about their locks.

Which kind of master lock?  The kind I posted a picture of?

The other kind is easy to open..... just pull hard on the lock with one hand, and start turning the tumblers from the top down.  One number will have kind of a loose feeling compared to the others.  Repeat for the rest of the tumblers, and before you know it, it's open.



The lock they (and I) used only had the combo aspect, not the key, however, the way the piece you make from a can works is it slides down the hasp and dislodges the teeth that hold the hasp in place. This actually totally bypasses the combo tumbler and the key tumbler of your lock. Hard to explain, have to see it works. When I get home I will see if I can get the link loaded.
2008-10-17 11:29 AM
in reply to: #1748377

Elite
2443
200010010010010025
Athens, Georgia
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves
Aikidoman - 2008-10-16 7:06 PM

Happened to me, in the worst place, Vegas (I live here).  They promptly went to a couple casinos and in a matter of a couple hours, while I was working out, racked up $10,000 of credit card debt...


I thought it was illegal to accept credit cards for any form of gambling. It is in Atlantic City anyway.



2008-10-17 12:13 PM
in reply to: #1748387

Elite
3090
20001000252525
Spokane, WA
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves
jsnowash - 2008-10-16 6:12 PM

That sucks.... could you lock your wallet in your glove compartment or the trunk of your car when you go to the gym? Have they had a lot of these incidents?? If so, seems they should be doing something about it.... sorry you've got to deal with this -- AGAIN!!


X2

So sorry to hear about this. Thieves suck. I always leave my wallet locked in my trunk when at the gym.

I'm a purchasing agent by trade so I use my Company credit card to buy high-ticket items and shocks me that I almost never have my ID checked. I bought a $2,000 HDTV at Best Buy and they didn't even ask to see my ID.
2008-10-17 12:15 PM
in reply to: #1749721

Expert
1083
1000252525
The Woodlands, TX
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves
NavyTRIChief - 2008-10-17 11:03 AM

Ok, this is just informative, don't hate me as I have never used it. A couple months ago I saw a post somewhere in reference to Master combination locks and how easy they are to get open. If you goto youtube you can find the step by step how to on making a piece out of an aluminium can to slide down the shaft of a lock and open it. I was amazed at the ease and speed of it and actually made one at home and tried it, as I use the locks on many things.
I cannot get on youtube to attach the link but should be fairly easy to find. I only mention this here as a warning to everyone about their locks.


Thank you for the warning! I use those types of locks all the time and have never thought twice about leaving my jewelry in the gym locker. Scary to think of what I could have lost!
2008-10-17 12:24 PM
in reply to: #1749792

Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves

triguynewbie - 2008-10-17 9:29 AM
Aikidoman - 2008-10-16 7:06 PM Happened to me, in the worst place, Vegas (I live here).  They promptly went to a couple casinos and in a matter of a couple hours, while I was working out, racked up $10,000 of credit card debt...
I thought it was illegal to accept credit cards for any form of gambling. It is in Atlantic City anyway.

It is.  They have credit card machines that give cash advances (sort of like ATMs).  You put the card in, and get a ticket/voucher.  You take that to the cages, and they are SUPPOSED to check your ID with the credit card, with the voucher before trade it for cash.

I think the thieves knew someone in the cages that would just give them the cash OR, the casino staff just got lazy and didn't care.

They took thousands at different casinos.  Man, not a bad night to walk away with 10k in cash...

 

The gym where it was taken said a lot of lockers were getting broken into.  They suggested a lock that needs a key.  They said combos where too easy to crack.  Now I just wear the key around my neck...  Not as nice as a combo, but not bad at all...



Edited by Aikidoman 2008-10-17 12:26 PM
2008-10-17 12:31 PM
in reply to: #1748333

over a barrier
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves
My GF, instead of signing the back of her CC, has written in black pen CHECK ID...most places will actually ask for her ID.
2008-10-17 1:12 PM
in reply to: #1750019

Expert
1603
1000500100
Westchester, NY
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves

Found a couple of videos which show how easy it is for someone to open a master lock.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbVZER_WhPc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kN1wY-5iZQ



2008-10-17 1:16 PM
in reply to: #1748333

Expert
841
50010010010025
Trinity, Florida
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves
Gyms have been tageted by theives for years. I can tell you that your locker and your vehicles are never safe. If the theives want your wallet, credit cards, cash they will find a way to snag them. I have worked smashed windows in the parking lot to get to purses and wallets and cut locks inside the locker rooms. Better safe than sorry just carry your Driver's License and gym card if you can.

Most of all make sure you make that police report to protect yourselves and so we know what trends are out there.

My $0.02
2008-10-17 1:36 PM
in reply to: #1750142

Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves
Fatdoggy - 2008-10-17 11:12 AM

Found a couple of videos which show how easy it is for someone to open a master lock.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbVZER_WhPc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kN1wY-5iZQ

Wow, disturbing how easy that is.

That's how they got me...  Locked up after themselves too.  Nice of them

2008-10-18 7:03 AM
in reply to: #1748333

Expert
1603
1000500100
Westchester, NY
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves
BTW, anyone have any suggestions on what the best lock to get would be?  I prefer a combination as opposed to a key, as I hate the idea of having to carry a key around with me.  A combination is always in my head (usually)!  :-)
2008-10-18 12:13 PM
in reply to: #1748333

Master
1534
100050025
San Diego, CA
Subject: RE: Grrr....Credit Card Thieves

I had a similar problem last year.

Credit card called and alerted me.  I had parked my truck at a popular beach parking lot and did a group swim.  Apparently I either inadvertently left the car unlocked (i swear I didn't but who knows...) or they broke in.

Either way, they skipped the cash, and some valuables, and took 2 CCs.

They bought a nice tv for about $700 at best buy, and some gas at a station, and were onto the next purchase when American Express clued in to them.

 I did the usual with filing a police report and called the security staff at the Best Buy (I wanted view the video tapes to see if i knew the thief).

i wasn't allowed to view the tapes, but did get put in touch with a local detective who had been investigating a string of similar incidents.

The detective told me he viewed the tape and was positive it was the same person who had been invloved in other incidents.  i was the victim of a "gang" who was working a lot of coastal workout areas, and breaking into parked cars after group runs/ swims started.

Long story short, they eventually caught the guy, prosecuted him, and he had to do time.  i got a notice in the mail that i could go to the sentencing and make a victim impact statement (I skipped it).

Some stuff I learned:

- in CA, it is not mandatory check ID when making a CC purchase - I was amazed.  The detective recommended that I write "CHECK ID" on the back of all my CCs.

- do not leave valuables in cars - it is amazing how easy some cars are to break into. I either put everything in the trunk, or leave at home except what I can carry with me (driver license, 1 CC, a $20 bill, and my cell phone, all inside a plastic baggie inside my waist bag).

- if something happens, report it immediately to the CC company.  In my case, I was not held liable for any charges. 

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